October 1999

FLORIDA CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY

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Once again the value of the Florida Chapter of the American Fisheries Society was made abundantly clear at our 1999 annual meeting. As with any group of professionals, and more so within a volunteer society, our strength comes from the individuals and their willingness to share.

In that regard, I'd like to once again thank a number of individuals for their past and present contributions. Larry Connor was past president under Grant Gilmore and is now the Secretary-Treasurer of the Southern Division. Based on a resolution that we passed at the meeting, he has been doing a great job of locating facilities and beginning the planning for the Southern Division Mid-Term Meeting, which we will host in Jacksonville on 22-25 February 2001. I'm sure that he will be looking for help in making arrangements and setting the program.

Grant Gilmore is past president on my Executive Committee and has been diligently setting up the Caribbean Fisheries Initiative Meeting for 1-5 November 1999. As per a resolution passed at our 1999 meeting, we have contributed $1,000 to support this effort. Grant is looking for help to promote the Florida Chapter at the meeting and to solicit new members from throughout the Caribbean.

Doug Haymans, our president-elect, has the assignment of being program chair for the FAFS meeting in 2000. He has set the dates in Brooksville for 28-30 March 2000. The Symposium theme will deal with harmful-algae blooms in both salt and fresh water, and we plan to include invited speakers from within Florida, as well as key players on the national scene. In addition, we will have a great contributed papers session and look forward to the continuing trend of more high quality posters each year.

Peter Hood, after years of doing the yeomam's work of putting together our newsletter, is now Secretary-Treasurer and built the poster stands for last year's meeting. The stands will continue to be used in the future and are a great asset.

John Benton has taken over the newsletter and will be trying to make it a quarterly issue. Remember that I will post the newsletter on our web site at http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~fafs/ along with an archive of past newsletters. You may also want to check out the links to many of the Florida facilities where our members work (please provide me additional links or let me know of any broken ones).

Chuck Cichra is continuing to handle the Rottman Memorial Scholarship and our student travel grants. Information, including application forms, will be posted on the web site.

In my brief statement upon taking the reins from Grant Gilmore, I indicated that I was concerned that we have a chapter membership of 250-300 most of the time; however, only about 80-120 members typically make our meetings. As a result, I sought and received permission to do a survey to find out a little more about our membership and their preferences related to when and where we hold meetings and the content of those meetings. The survey is attached and is also posted on our web site. Please complete a survey and submit it via whichever means is most convenient for you.

I also was given the opportunity to write a letter to our Legislature supporting the Florida Forever bill, based on a resolution from our membership and the tacit approval of the AFS leadership. The draft bill was posted, as promised, on our website for two weeks prior to being mailed. We received a gracious acknowledgment from the appropriate legislative committees. I am glad to report the bill passed and includes a visionary fisheries restoration program targeting 31 Florida lakes deemed to be in dire need of attention. Starting in 2001, approximately $5.5-million per year for 9 years will be made available to the FWCC to perform lake drawdowns, muck (sediment) removal, reestablishment of native submersed vegetation, plus other fishery habitat enhancements through the year 2010.

I'd also like to take a moment to welcome the new American Fisheries Society Executive Director, Gus Rassam. In his introductory Director's Line (August 1999, Fisheries), Gus stated "AFS membership is stagnant; the finances of the Society are not in the best of shape; tensions between local and overall AFS issues are rising in some cases; and the Society is too homogenous in a world that increasingly is described by diversity." These are the priority issues that he is setting forth to address. On behalf of our Chapter, I would like to offer him our support and best wishes as he addresses these important concerns.

The Chapter has been asked to contribute to the "Black Bass 2000-Ecology, Conservation, and Management" symposium at the St. Louis AFS meeting. Dr. David Philipp and Dr. Mark Ridgway are co-chairing this historic symposium, which comes on the 25^th anniversary of the original black bass symposium. The 1975 Proceedings are among the most widely cited articles in freshwater fisheries management, and as the sponsors stated the "Florida bass fishery...stand(s) to benefit substantially through an increase in scientific knowledge gained from this symposium." Many other subunits, such as the Missouri and Illinois Chapters, the Fish Management, Fish Genetics and Fisheries Administrators sections, have contributed. I would like to propose that the Florida Chapter contribute $1,000 to this cause, for which we will be formally recognized at the symposium, in articles about the symposium and in the published proceedings. Your opportunity to vote is included on the attached survey.

The Southern Division AFS convenes an annual mid-year meeting each February. The idea behind the meeting is to have a short, inexpensive meeting that combines continuing education with 1 to 2 days of technical sessions over a weekend. The meeting runs from Friday through Sunday. The meeting has drawn 350 to 450 attendees since its inception, and has been held in places like Chattanooga, Virginia Beach, Lexington, and San Antonio. The 2000 meeting will be in Savannah, Georgia. The Southern Division asked the Florida Chapter to consider hosting the 2001 meeting and we voted to do so at our annual FL Chapter meeting in March.

We decided to consider Jacksonville as our primary site for a number of reasons. We felt that Jacksonville would be less expensive than more resort-oriented locations, and, with three large downtown hotels, it was large enough to handle the meeting. Access was also a consideration since attendees will be coming from all over the southeast. Jacksonville has a good airport and good highway access for those who wish to drive.

What does this mean for the chapter? Work of course, but when you are a member of a larger organization sometimes you must assume some of the burden of keeping the organizational wheels turning. This meeting is nothing like the AFS annual meeting we hosted in 1995. It's one third the size, half the number of days, and no fancy registration package. There are two on-site "beer and peanut" socials, about 130 presentations, some continuing education workshops, and probably a short business meeting. I think that our members can handle this with ease.

This can help the chapter out financially. The Southern Division has an income sharing plan with the hosts. The hosts receive the first $1,000 of the net income from the meeting. The hosts and the division share any additional income on a 50/50 basis. The plan also protects the hosts from losing money on the meeting. Since this is a Southern Division meeting, the division assumes all responsibility for a loss.

Where do we stand and what do we need to do? Doug Haymans and I negotiated a contract with the Jacksonville Hilton. We had a lot of help reviewing the bids from the Chapter officers, Bob Wattendorf, Peter Hood, and Grant Gilmore, and the Southern Division officers. Wes Porak and Pat Fricano also helped. The meeting dates are 23-25 February 2001 and the room rate will be a flat rate $82/night plus tax for single through quad. These rates will be good for the nights of the 20^th through the 25^th if anyone wants to come early or stay Sunday night. The conference rooms are free if we get 400 room-nights from about 300 to 320 attendees.

Most of the work is in the future and won't start until next Spring and Summer. However, we need to fill two important positions soon. We need a program chair and a continuing education coordinator to step forward. Students take note! You will have the opportunity to work for your registration by running A/V equipment, helping with registration, and any number of tasks.

So, lets get the ball rolling and make this an outstanding meeting for the Southern Division and the Chapter. For more information or to find out how you can help, contact Larry Connor, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 601 W. Woodward Ave., Eustis, FL 32726; (352) 742-6438; connorl@gfc.state.fl.us.

March 28 through 30, 2000 will be the dates for our annual chapter meeting. The topic will be Harmful Algal Blooms in marine and fresh waters. Details of the meeting will be posted in the next newsletter. Check the website for updates.

The 1999 recipient of the Florida Chapter, American Fisheries Society Roger Rottmann Memorial Scholarship is Mr. Joel L. Carlin. Joel received his B.S. from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1991 with a major in marine biology. He received his M.S. in zoology from Louisiana State University in 1995. The summer following his graduation, Joel was an instructor in LSU's Youth Science Program. As a biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources from September 1995 through August 1998, he worked on wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) stock identification and received additional training in conservation genetics at the Smithsonian Institution. Joel began work on his Ph.D. under the guidance of Dr. Brian Bowen at the University of Florida in the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Gainesville, Florida. Joel's dissertation topic is "Genetic population structure in the antitropical spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and its implications for the management of multinational fisheries." Joel hopes to someday obtain a faculty position at a university where he plans to teach and conduct research.

Due to the large number of highly qualified applicants, the scholarship committee decided to award a second scholarship to Ms. Bonnie P. Whitlock. Bonnie received her B.S. in 1992 from the University of Montevalo in zoology. Afterwards, she worked for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources at the Marine Research Institute studying fish communities inhabiting polluted and non-polluted creeks of the Charleston Harbor. She was employed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Air Management program for three years, receiving the FDEP Outstanding Service Award in 1996 and 1997. Bonnie is currently working on her M.S. degree under the guidance of Dr. Wayne Bennett at the University of West Florida in the Department of Biology, Pensacola, Florida. Her thesis topic is entitled "Potential techniques for quantifying bioenergetic differences in largemouth bass in brackish and freshwater habitats." Her goal is to conduct fisheries research for one of Florida's state agencies.

The Florida Chapter established the Roger Rottmann Memorial Scholarship in honor of Roger Rottmann, a founding member of the chapter and a long time biologist at the University of Florida. The scholarship is awarded to an outstanding graduate student in fisheries science or other related field at a Florida college or university. Donations to the Rottmann Scholarship Fund are tax deductible. Anyone wishing to contribute can send donations to Larry Connor, Treasurer Rottmann Fund, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 601 W Woodward Ave, Eustis, FL 32726.

OCTOBER 1999
FL Aquatic Plant Mgmt. Society - Daytona Bch.

NOVEMBER 1999
7-10 SEAFWC Annual Mtg. - Greensboro, NC

DECEMBER 1999 5-9 Catch & Release Symposium in Marine Recreational Fisheries - Virginia Bch., VA

JANUARY 2000

FEBRUARY 2000
3-6 AFS Southern Division Midterm Meeting, Savannah, GA
14-17, Int'l Pelagic Shark Wkshp. Pacific Grove, CA

MARCH 2000
28-30 FL Chapter AFS Meeting, Brooksville

Vice-President:
Doug Haymans
2025 Cynthia Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 488-6058
haymand@gfc.state.fl.us

Secretary/Treasurer:
Peter Hood
Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Mgmt. Council
3018 N. Us Hwy 301 STE 1000
Tampa, FL 33619-2266
(813) 228-2815
peter.hood@gulfcouncil.org

Newsletter Editor:
John Benton
601 W. Woodward Ave.
Eustis, FL 32726
(352) 742-6438
jbenton@mail.state.fl.us

As an AFS officer, one of my more enjoyable responsibilities is to attend chapter meetings. During one of these meetings, a member asked, "why should I be a member of AFS, what do I get?" That was a fair question and deserved a better answer than I could formulate on my feet.

Fortunately for me, the AFS Membership Committee developed a list of 28 benefits of being a member of AFS and I would like to share those with you (not as funny as a Letterman Top 10 List but certainly more comprehensive and useful). I hope that non-members receiving this will read the list and seriously consider joining AFS. I also encourage members to take this list to non-member colleagues and invite them to consider joining AFS.

Benefits of Being An AFS Member

1. Participate in one or more of 54 chapters, 21 sections, and 4 divisions, on technical subjects ranging from socioeconomics to computer use, and fish ecology.

2. Receive Fisheries monthly and learn about science and resources issues, what is going on in the Society, and about developments in the profession.

3. Participate in and receive credits for continuing education units in fisheries through continuing education workshops.

4. Make your voice heard on important fishery policy issues.

5. Speak your mind in letters to the editor of Fisheries.

6. Receive a discount on registration fees at conventions, meetings, and continuing education programs.

7. Get to know lots and lots of other fisheries professionals, one may have a new job for you!

8. Conduct fishery business at AFS meetings and conventions.

9. If you are a consulting fisheries professional, advertise your services in Fisheries at rates significantly below commercial advertising rates.

10. Purchase fishery resource books, fish photos, and videos at less than list price as a result of our discounts-to-members policy.

11. See the latest in fishery-related products and services at meetings and conventions by visiting exhibitors' booths at our trade show.

12. Learn valuable organizational and communication skills as an AFS leader-directly applicable to your professional development.

13. Subscribe to the four refereed fishery journals and stay abreast of the science and its application (Transactions of the American Fisheries Society ; North American Journal of Fisheries Management; The Progressive Fish Culturist; and The Journal of Aquatic Animal Health).

14. Receive The AFS Diary and The Jobs Bulletin each month in Fisheries.

15. Receive (free or on a loan) slide/tapes, films, tapes, brochures, and other materials for your fishery programs.

16. As a student, compete for Skinner Memorial Fund and AFS subunit grants to attend AFS conventions and meetings.

17. Receive first notice of fisheries continuing education programs, technical sessions and symposia.

18. Serve on one or more of the dozens of AFS committees.

19. Receive an annual membership directory to assist networking with other AFS members.

20. Apply for certification as Associate Fisheries Scientist or Fisheries Scientist.

21. Deduct your dues from income taxes (over 3% of AGO).

22. Contribute to the special projects funds (Skinner Memorial Fund, J. Frances Allen Scholarship, Permanent Home Fund) to help advance your profession.

23. Participate in legislative initiatives (like Wallop-Breaux) to generate funding for fisheries programs or to achieve better management of fisheries resources.

24. Organize a new discipline section to meet your specific interests if one of the existing sections does not address your field of specialization.

25. Benefit from the Society's periodic salary surveys by using the data in your effort to achieve needed salary increases.

26. Help develop AFS policy and position statements on aquatic resource issues and controversies.

27. Become a leader in your chapter, division, section, etc. and perhaps continue on to become President of the Society.

28. Visit your Society's permanent home, purchased through members and other contributions, when in the Washington, D.C. area.

MARINE FISHERIES

Marine Reserve Workshops. Between Aug. 9 and Aug. 24, 1999, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) has scheduled a series of 10 public workshops on the possible use of marine reserves as a fishery management tool in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Scoping documents for these workshops can be obtained at http://www.gulfcouncil.org. [GMFMC press release]

Illegal Shark Fishing. On July 16-17, 1999, personnel from the Coast Guard Cutter Marlin boarded 2 vessels illegally fishing in a closed area 20 miles west of Tampa Bay. Both vessels illegally possessed shark fillets, preventing determination of species and size. Violations were issued and shark and grouper meat was seized. [personal communication]

Gulf Grouper Management. On July 15, 1999, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council adopted a proposal that would annually prohibit fishing for gag and red grouper during their Feb. 15 to Mar. 15 spawning season and would close 2 areas (West Florida Shelf Reserve Sites 5 and 9) to all commercial and sport fishing for 4 years. The total area closed would be 219 square miles. The Council now submits the proposal to NMFS for approval and implementation. [Assoc. Press]

FL Red Snapper Season. On July 9, 1999, the FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission passed an emergency rule and extended the recreational red snapper season in state waters an additional 2 months (through Oct. 31). Federal officials had reportedly encouraged FL officials to end fishing in state waters on Aug. 29, to coincide with the federal offshore closure. [Assoc. Press]

Bycatch Reduction Device Certification. On July 8, 1999, NMFS published final regulations for testing and certifying bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) for use in shrimp trawls. No comments were received on a proposed rule published June 3, 1999. [Fed. Register]

Shrimp-Sea Turtle Revised Guidelines. On July 8, 1999, the Dept. of State published revised guidelines for implementing U.S. law relating to importing shrimp so as to protect sea turtles. These revisions were completed to satisfy international trade concerns of the World Trade Organization. The revised guidelines retain provisions allowing shrimp imports from uncertified countries for individual shipments certified as having been caught by shrimpers using turtle excluder devices. The legality of these provisions is being challenged by Earth Island Institute in U.S. federal court. [Fed. Register, U.S. Information Service Washington File]

Shell Marine Habitat Program Grants. July 1, 1999 is the pre-proposal deadline for submitting matching grant proposals for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Shell Oil Company Foundation program to fund projects that protect, conserve, or enhance the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. Details at http://www.nfwf.org/nfwf_shl.htm. [National Fish and Wildlife Foundation]

Shark Lawsuit. On June 30, 1999, U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday released an order barring the enforcement of NMFS's more stringent limits for Atlantic sharks due to take effect July 1, 1999, and allowing shark fishermen to operate under less stringent 1997 quotas. NMFS's 1999 regulations relating to limited access, a 4,000 pound trip limit for large coastal sharks, shark gillnet observers, and recreational fishing remain in effect. This order relates to a May 1997 lawsuit challenging Atlantic shark commercial harvest quotas. Revised regulations implementing the court order were scheduled to be published in the July 14, 1999, Federal Register. [Assoc. Press, personal communication].

Algal Blooms and Atmospheric Nitrogen. On June 30, 1999, NC Sea Grant scientists published research in Ambio identifying a relationship between increasing atmospheric nitrogen pollutants and increasing occurrence of harmful algal blooms. [National Sea Grant College Program news release]

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) has shut down commercial shark fishing in state waters until Jan. 1. The National Marine Fisheries Service notified the FWCC the action is necessary, based on catch rates that indicate sharks have been overfished in recent years - a situation that could disrupt the necessary environmental balance in state waters. Recreational shark fishing is not affected by the order, but sharks or shark fins harvested during the closure period may not be bought, sold or exchanged.

FRESHWATER FISH

APHIS Aquaculture Program. July 6, 1999 is the deadline for comments on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on programs and regulations for farm-raised finfish. Programs are proposed to help protect the health of farm-raised fish, help producers of these fish meet international trade requirements, and help encourage international trade in U.S. aquaculture products. [Fed. Register]

In March, the EPA Office of Water sent a list of randomly selected lakes and reservoirs where fish samples are to be collected for chemical residue analysis to determine the scope of the problem nationally.

Symposium Announcement for Crappie Biology and Management
This symposium is scheduled for the 130^th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society to be held in St. Louis, Missouri in 2000.

Since the last crappie symposium in Pittsburgh 1990, significant amounts of effort have been directed by state agencies and universities to the research and management of crappie populations. This symposium will focus on the recruitment and management of growth and mortality of crappie populations.

This symposium is sponsored by the Fisheries Management Section. Abstracts are due by December 1, 1999 and should be e-mailed to the address below. Platform presenters are encouraged to submit their work as part of the proceedings to be published as a module in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management.<

For more information contact: Jeff Boxrucker, 405-325-7288 or jboxrucker@aol.com